Allen’s section of the draw has considerably opened up as he was also in line to face Ding in the last 16.

As already expressed here on a few occasions in the last few weeks, Allen is a notably streaky player so when he is on a winning run it tends to last for a few months.

This makes him very dangerous at the moment and I think the 29 year-old has a very good chance of reaching a second UK final this year.

Also in his quarter, though, is Stuart Bingham, with the world champ to be challenged by veteran Anthony Hamilton in his upcoming tie.

Assuming that match is shown live, it could well be the last, or one of the last, times we get to see the popular “Sheriff of Pottingham” on our screens as he is really struggling to stay inside the top 64 this season.

Meanwhile, some of the other big-hitters remaining in the draw include John Higgins, Judd Trump and Neil Robertson.

Australia’s Robertson, champion a couple of years ago, plays India’s Aditya Mehta, another name fighting for his place on the tour.

Trump has a rematch of his first round victory at this year’s World Championship when he faces Stuart Carrington again while John Higgins, who has already secured a hat-trick of ranking events in 2015, is up against Tian Pengfei.

Realistically, all three will be expected to come through what are tricky, but certainly winnable, ties.

O’Brien battles Thepchaiya Un-Nooh for a last 32 berth while three-time finalist Doherty will need to play as well as he did against Drago, where he compiled a brace of centuries, if he is to trouble Mark Davis.

In a packed schedule, there are several other intriguing ties that will take place.

These include, but is not limited to, the duel between Gary Wilson and Martin Gould – two ranking event runners-up of 2015 – Barry Hawkins’ meeting with the dangerous Finn Robin Hull, and Stephen Maguire’s clash with Jamie Cope.

A lot to look forward to then as we catch our first proper glimpse of this year’s UK Championship in the coming days.